Periodontal diseases

Periodontal diseases are some of the most common issues faced by adults, after cavities. These diseases are caused by bacteria and affect your overall health.

Remember: the human body is complex and all of its parts are interdependent.

What are periodontal diseases?

Gingivitis

It is the most common form of gum disease. Bacteria found in plaque and tartar cause your gums to swell. Other causes include defective restorations, misaligned teeth, and chronic illnesses.

First signs of gingivitis

Redness of gums
Swelling
Bad breath (halitosis)
Bleeding or sensitivity when brushing teeth or using dental floss

To treat gingivitis, our professionals will carefully remove tartar and clean your teeth. However, if the bones and ligaments have been affected, the disease has progressed to periodontitis.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an infection of the tissues that support teeth (gums, ligaments, bone). Its symptoms are:

Bleeding when brushing teeth
Shrunken gums
Loose teeth
Accumulation of food between teeth
Tooth sensitivity to cold
Appearance of spaces between teeth
Halitosis
Bad taste in mouth
Periodontal abscesses (gum abscesses)

Periodontitis can progress quickly on some or all of a patient’s teeth. It can affect people of all ages, regardless of their medical condition.

If left untreated, the disease can lead to tooth loss.

In the past, preventing complete tooth loss was the top priority. But scientific studies now show that periodontal diseases can have negative effects on the entire body.

Maintaining periodontium health

As with other chronic illnesses (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.), periodontal diseases can be controlled but they cannot be eliminated.

That’s why it is important to prevent periodontitis from recurring after it has been treated.

We recommend two or more check-ups per year, with the frequency depending on your individual risk factors. We also recommend at-home care using a product like Perio Protect, to maintain optimal periodontium health.